Paper Flower Tutorial

With thanks to Jayne Mercer for sharing this great tutorial how you can make a simple flower from just 3 scallop Circle Punches... I have made this Birthday card for my mother-in-law (well not official, but officially in my books) for her special day tomorrow.

Stamps: Heard from the Heart (mini catalogue)

Ink: Handsome Hunter (retiring)

Card: Whisper White, Handsome Hunter (retiring), & Regal Rose

Accessories: Split Pin

Tools: Circle Scallop Punch, Paper Crimper, Piercer (for brad), Big Shot & Little Leaves Die, and Adhesives.

Happy Birthday Annita (Grandma) xoxo

Here's the tutorial so you can give these flowers a go too!

1. Punch out 3 scallop circles

2. & 3. In order to make this type of flowers you need to break down the fibres in the cardstock. If you've got a crimper, simply put the scallops through the crimper several times in different directions. If you don't have a crimper simply jump to step 4.

4. Screw up the scallops (if you haven't crimped you'll probably have to scrumple, unscrumple, and scrumple again a few times).

5. What you're aiming to get is the cardstock starting to separate.

6. Gently pull apart the two halves. You'll end up with a soft textured side - almost like suede.

7. Repeat with all 3 scallops

8. Stack the 6 scallops textured size up and put a brad through the middle of all of them.

9. Screw up tight the first layer around the brad.

10. Repeat with all 6 layers.

11. Gently unfold each layer to your liking.

12. Add to card.

Have fun and feel free to email me a photo of your creations!

Magical Birthday Wishes!

At our Paper Angels Meetings once a month, we have a challenge that Liz sets and there is the opportunity to win great prizes.

Last month the challenge was to create using any products from the New Autumn Winter Mini.

This was one of my entries, that scored me 2nd Prize!

Stamps: Pony Party

Ink: StayzOn Black, Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst

Card: Barely Banana, Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, Water Colour Paper

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Tools: Circle Scissors Plus, Eyelet Border Punch, Crimper, Aqua Painter, Adhesives including 2Way Glue Pen for Glitter and Dimensionals.

(Card inspired from Split Coast Stampers)

The pony was coloured in using ink from the lids of my Stampin' Pads and an Aqua Painter. This works best on Water Colour Paper like I've used.

The groovy edge around the large circle was created by punching a border along the long side of A4 card with the Eyelet Border Punch, then crimping this so it curves easy as you stick it around the outer edge of the back of the circle. I love the effect it gives.

Medallion Kisses

I know I say this over & over, but I sooooo LOVE being a Paper Angel! Specially those times when we all get together at Liz's house and play with new products!

Here's a card I made on one of those "Play Days" at Liz's

featuring the new Medallion Stamp

from Page 17 of the Autumn Winter Mini.

The chocolate Baroque Swirls you can see are created by

'Kissing' Baroque Motifs and the Medallion together before Stamping.

Ink Medallion in lighter colour, then ink Baroque Swirl in darker colour and 'kiss' both stamps together so the Baroque Swirl leaves an imprint on the Medallion. Then stamp the Medallion onto your card stock. "WOW"

Stamps: Medallion, Baroque Motifs, Sincere Salutations

Ink: Brocade Blue, Chocolate Chip

Card: Brocade Blue, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Half Pearl

Tools: Stamp-a-Majig (for verse in corner of card), Adhesives.

(Card inspired from Split Coast Stampers)

Above is Kathy's funky version of this card in the NEW colours

Melon Mambo & Rich Razzleberry

from our Autumn Winter Mini!

Butterfly Prints Birthday!

At our February Paper Angels Meeting we made this Beautiful Birthday Card featuring Butterfly Prints from the Summer Mini.

Stamps: Butterfly Prints (Summer Mini), Happy Everything

Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Kiwi Kiss

Card: Bravo Burgundy, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Bella Rose DS

Accessories: Bravo Burgundy Grosgrain Ribbon

Tools: Circle Scissors Plus (summer Mini), Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Snips, Butterfly Punch (summer mini), Stamp-a-majig, Piercer, Adhesives.

Don't you love the scallop edge created around the large circle? Wondering how you can do this? I've put together some photos and instructions for you below.

1. Punch a long strip (A4 long side) of Card with the Scallop Edge Punch

2. Snip between each scallop from flat side 3/4 way so you don't snip right off.

3. Gently start creating a curve.

4. Put Adhesive right around the outside edge of your circle (on the back) and slowly adhere your scallop edge around the circle.

I've also had a few questions about the Circle Scissors Plus, and whether it is difficult to use. I love it, and after Liz showing me how to use it at our meeting, I find it very easy to use (unlike other horrible circle cutters I've tried in the past!). The circle scissor is so quick and easy, and makes a simple layout look a bit more special.

I only wish I had the skills to create a video tutorial to show you how great the Circle Scissors Plus is. Lucky for me though, some other SU demonstrators have done just this and I am able to include this great tutorial for you to watch on YouTube. Click here.

The Circle Scissors Plus and Glass Mat are sold separately. You can see them on the last page of the Summer Mini. For a real bargain, you might like to purchase my Circle Scissor Bundle...available only until the end of this month!

Reminder... there are only 2 weeks left to stock up

on your Summer Mini favourites!

Create your own brads!

Did you know you can design your own brads to coordinate with your cards, scrapbooking and off-the-page work? It's as easy as 1-2-3 with Build-a-Brads by Stampin' Up!

Step 1.Punch out an image using a 1/2" circle punch.

Instead of patterned paper as I've used,

you may wish to stamp an image or use a rub-on.

Step 2.Using your adhesive of choice,

adhere your punched out image to the top of the brad

from your Build-a-Brad kit.

Step 3.Peel off the self-adhesive bubble from your Build-a-Brad pack

and place it over your image on the brad.

Looks like fun? It is!

Email me now to purchase a Build-a-Brad Kit

and you too can start creating your own coordinated cards, scrapbooking and more.

Here's a card I made recently using the Build-a-Brad kit

to make my own coordinated embellishment.

Getting ready for my sister's military style wedding... we have added a Build-a-Brad on her invitations to co-ordinate with the badge from her 'soon to be hubby's' suit.

Are we clever or what????

Build-a-Brads can be found on page 149.

They come in the choice of Antique Brass or Pewter.

Each pack contains 24 RRP $18.95

Rub-ons

Stampin' Up! Rub-Ons are easy to apply and add depth to any card stock, patterned paper, or stamped image.

Their are many eye-catching images designed to co-ordinate with many of the Stampin' Up! stamp sets. The intricate designs will guarantee to give your projects flair!

1) Cut out your chosen image from the image sheet.
2) Remove the backing sheet
3) Lay the image on your project where desired
4) Firmly rub the image with the round end of a bone scorer or use a paddle pop stick. This will transfer your image onto your project.
NOTE: You will see the image lifted away from the top sheet completely before peeling the top sheet off.

Rub-Ons can be used on paper and most nonporous surfaces, including glass, photos, candles… let your imagination go wild!

Rub-Ons can be found on page 139. Planter Box & Laughter and Love $19.95 include 2 sheets per pack, 1 in white and 1 in choc chip. Bright Delights are $21.95 including 2 multicoloured sheets featuring 4 colours.

Rock & Roll

Another great WOW technique to add to your file... the Rock & Roll

1) Tap the stamp on a light-coloured ink pad
2) Press the edges of the entire stamp in a rolling motion on a darker ink pad, being careful not to ink the centre of the stamp
NOTE: Clean your stamp between each new Rock & Roll

Quick Tip: When using the Rock & Roll technique, always use the lightest coloured ink first to avoid getting dark ink on your light coloured ink pad

Stampin' Pads come in all the wonderful Stampin' Up! colours

and can be found on pages 126-129 available for $11.95 each.

Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist to clean your stamp quickly between each rock & roll can be found on page 155 Scrub $28.95 and Mist $7.95

Poppin' Pastels

A nifty way of colouring your stamped images.

Also a fun way of having all the Stampin' Up! colours

at hand in one neat sturdy case.

Poppin’ Pastels

1) Stamp the image with a VersaMark or White Craft ink pad
2) Use sponge daubers or cotton tips to apply the pastel colour directly to the ink
3) Blow off any excess powder

Quick Tip: To avoid smearing, gently dab the chalk rather than rubbing it across the image

Stampin' Pastels can be found on page 127 available for $48.95.

VersaMark Ink is on page 156 $13.95, or White Craft ink on page 127 $13.95. Sponge Daubers can be found on page 156 and are $20.95 (12).

Heat Embossing

You can create many different effects with your stamps that certainly give a WOW effect every time by embossing them... and it's so much fun to do!

Heat Embossing

1) Rub card with embossing buddy
2) Stamp your image with VersaMark ink then stamp onto card. NOTE: for a coloured embossed image, ink your stamp with VM ink then ink with Classic Stampin’ ink before stamping.
3) Pour powder onto inked image.
4) Shake excess powder off.
5) Heat image with heat tool only until the powder changes to a shiny liquid & rises. (Avoid overheating)
6) Allow embossed image to cool.

Emboss Resist: Follow steps 1-6 then apply ink with a sponge over & around embossed image. Wipe with a tissue to remove excess ink

The tools required for heat embossing can be found at the top of page 154. Stampin' Emboss Powder assorted colours $8.95, Embossing Buddy $9.50, Heat Tool $49.95, Powder Pals $37.95. VersaMark Ink can be found on page 156 $13.95.

Basic Masking

Masking can give your project depth.

It allows you to use the same stamped image overlapping another

to look like you have layered the images onto each other.

In this example I have shown you,

I have used one flower stamp only and one leaf stamp.

By using Masking I have made my one flower

look like it is part of a bunch!

1) Stamp the image you would like to have in the foreground

(very front) of your project on your card.
2) Stamp the same image on scrap paper.

If you are using the same image more than once,

stamp 2 or 3 times on scrap paper.
3) Carefully cut out the scrap images.

NOTE: cut right on the line or even slightly inside it.
4) With repositionable tape, layer your scrap images

over those stamped on your card.
5) Stamp your second image over the mask.

This image will appear in the background.
6) Remove the mask to see the finished look!

Using ‘Heat & Stick Powder’

You can use Heat & Stick Powder to apply
Stampin' Glitter to your stamped images with precision!

1) Stamp your image with VersaMark ink.
2) Apply ‘Heat & Stick Powder’ to the inked image. Shake off excess powder and funnel back into the container.
3) Heat image with the heat tool just until the powder turns to liquid.
DO NOT OVERHEAT.
4) Pour glitter onto the inked image, making sure that the image is completely coated. Shake off excess glitter and funnel back into its container.
5) Heat again briefly to set.
NOTE: fold your drop sheet before starting to make a funnel for pouring your powder/glitter back into their containers.

Heat & Stick Powder can be found on page 145 and is available for $8.50

A Heat Tool is required for the use of Heat & Stick Powder.

The Heat Tool can be found on page 154 and is available for $49.95

The ‘Wipe Swipe’

A quick way to turn a plain white piece of card

into a WOW!!!!!

1) Select 2, 3, or 4 ink refill colours
2) Squeeze a few drops of ink on a baby wipe
3) Repeat this with all colours chosen
4) Gently swipe the wipe over your card stock to create a colourful background.

The key to this is choosing the right colour combinations. If you use too many colours you might end up with a not-so-nice muddy brown.

You will never come up with the same result twice!

Re-inkers can be found on pages 126-129 available for $5.95 each.

I have used Crystal Effects on the glasses to make them look 3D ( like glass)

Crystal Effects can be found on Page 154 for $11.95

Colour Spritzing!

Achieve spectacular effects using a

Stampin' Write marker with the convenient

Spritzer Tool.

1) Place a Stampin’ Write Marker into the tool so the tip goes just past the end of the spritzer tool and secure into place.
NOTE: The brush end of your marker should be the end facing the end of the spritzer tool.
2) Squeeze the end of the spritzer so that air blows onto the marker tip, blowing mists of ink from the marker.
3) Test the results you will get on some scrap paper, try at different distances from the paper and different angles until you achieve the results you want.
4) Use the Colour Spritzer Tool to mist colour onto your project.

The Colour Spritzer Tool can be found on Page 156 available for $24.95.
Stampin' Write marker's sold separately.

Technique File

Creating a technique file is fun!

It makes a great resource, and allows you to experiment with your craft by using products you may never have used before, using them in ways you may not have used them,

or ever imagined using them!

Let me share with you my technique file!

I have made each of these techniques as a file system on a ring. Each file is 7cm x 10cm. (This size makes them easy to re-create as a gift card if you desire.) On the back of each file card I have printed the instructions. The ring I have used opens up easily and I can select my chosen card and have it by my side to remind me how the technique is done.

Click on the links below to be directed to each file...

* Colour Spritzing

* The 'Wipe Swipe'

* Using 'Heat & Stick Powder'

* Basic Masking

* Heat Embossing

* Poppin' Pastels

* Rock & Roll

* Create your own Brads

Experiment away, and remember craft is about relaxing and creating,

letting your mind go free.

Enjoy playing around with new techniques!!!!!!

Don't hesitate to call me if you get stuck or have any questions..... I can come over and share a technique or two that you may have spotted here, with you and some friends over a coffee!